Handmade Christmas Decorations

I love making Christmas gifts and decorations, using my time instead of money to sew, bake or make unique handmade presents. They are always appreciated and beats contending with the Christmas shopping rush every time. 

You will need:

Felt

Fabric scraps/buttons/beads etc..

Cotton thread and needle

Ribbon or cord for hanging

Toy stuffing or cotton wool

Scissors

Pen and paper

Step 1: Draw and cut: Draw out your Christmas decoration designs on to paper. I have chosen a vintage bauble, drop and star.

Cut these out and place on to the felt, mark around them in pen and carefully cut out 2 pieces for each decoration.

Step 2: Time to decorate. Take one piece of your felt decoration and sew on any embellishment you like; off cuts of fabrics, embroidery threads, buttons, beads and lace all look great.

I have used some fabric samples from The Braintree Clothing team and cut out motifs from the design to create a vintage bauble effect.

Step 3: Sew and Stuff.  Lay your embellished felt side (front side up) on to an identical plain piece, lining up the edges. Take a needle and thread and starting at the bottom of the decoration, sew around the perimeter using a whip stitch. Make sure the needle goes through both pieces of felt. I’ve use a contrasting white thread so the stitches are part of the design. When you reach the top, sandwich your hanging loop in between the two layers and stitch in place. Continue the whip stitch until you reach ¾ inch from the point where you began stitching.

Stuff the toy stuffing in the gap until the decoration is just padded but not too firm. Close the gap with a few whip stitches.

Repeat with the remaining felt pieces until you have enough to hang up on your tree or to give as Christmas gifts. 

 

Hot water bottle cover tutorial for Braintree Clothing

Now that the nights are drawing in, it’s tempting to stay indoors and keep cosy and warm with a good book.

So to keep out the chill I’ve made this soft woollen hot water bottle cover, which is simply finished with a decorative trim and blanket stitched edge.

I bought my fabrics from the Cloth House in London. They have a beautiful range of materials and vintage trims to choose from. 

You will need:

Wool fabric

Cotton thread

Scissors

Pins

Sewing machine

Embroidery thread/needle

Trim

Paper

Iron

Step 1: Make the template:

Make a paper template by tracing around your hot water bottle, adding an extra 6cm (approx) all the way round, this allows room for filling your cover with the hot water bottle and seam allowance. Make three copies of this same template. The first (A) will be the front. The second (B) cut off the bottom by 12cm to create the back top template. The third (C) cut off the top by 17cms to create the back bottom template. These two pieces will make up the back opening of the cover.

Step 2: Cut out your patterns:

Lay and pin your templates onto your wool - I've used this lovely aubergine brown wool from the Cloth House.

Cut out all three pieces. 

Step 3: Sew: 

Press and pin a 1 cm fold along the straight edges of pieces B and C.

Sew down these folds.

On the front edge of piece B sew on your trim. 

Step 4: Sew together:

Place piece (A) front side facing up, then lay  (B) on top and then lay piece (C) on top of (B) facing down with right sides together and  all outer edges aligned. Pieces (B) and (C) should overlap by about 3/4cms.

This will become the opening of the cover.

Pin all the edges together.

Sew the layers together around the pinned edges with a ½ cm seam allowance.

Out of the curved sections cut little notches and snip off the corners for a neat edge when turned out.

Turn the entire piece inside out by using the opening.

Press the piece flat.

Step 5: Embroider:

I've used a contrasting pink embroidery thread which looks great with the wool I've chosen.

Using the embroidery thread sew around the edge of the cover using a blanket stitch. Make sure you sew through all the layers. Don't worry if this isn't perfect, it all adds to the handmade charm.

Your hot water bottle cover is now ready to use.  Simply fill your hot water bottle and insert it into the opening. 

Have a go at this project and share your pictures. Just tag your photos on Instagram with the hashtag #BThoughtful_Makes and the user names @btreeclothing and @foundandsewn. 

Autumn days

I love this time of year, don't you. I'm working on another great sewing tutorial which is perfect for these bright chilly Autumn days. I really hope you like it. I'll be posting it in the next couple of weeks.

I had last week off work for my birthday and I made the most of the sunshine by visiting secret gardens, these pale pink anemones are so pretty. Catching up with friends, long countryside walks, picking apples and blackberries to make crumbles. I spent a couple of days in London with my boyfriend, we stayed at the gorgeous Artist Residence boutique hotel in Pimlico. It was so nice I hardly wanted to leave, but we were tempted out by, the most delicious breakfast at 26 Grains in Covent Garden, walking along the Thames to Borough Market for doughnuts and to visit the National Portrait Gallery.  to see the Audrey Hepburn exhibition. 

I hope you are enjoying October too.

oxford

A sunny Sunday afternoon and a quiet meander through some of Oxfords pretty back streets.

I hope you've had a good week and have some nice things planned for the weekend.

A few nice things from my week;

I've been really enjoying the BBC Four series 'what do artist do all day'

Making this delicious Beets and Greens tart from the Green Kitchen Stories website. I can't wait to give this Mocha black bean mousse cake a go, looks delicious!

Gathering bedroom decor inspiration on Pinterest . Here's a snap of a corner of our bedroom so far.

tote bag tutorial & a seasonal recipe

I love shopping at my local farmers market and produce store, so I thought my next sewing tutorial for BraintreeClothing would be a classic tote bag, perfect for filling up with seasonal goodies.

Braintree kindly sent me two lovely striped men's shirts to upcycle into this tote bag. You could of course use any fabrics new or old.



Materials:
Fabric (I’ve used two different striped linen shirts)
Cotton webbing  (Navy 2 lengths 3 x 122cms)
Cotton thread (cream & navy)
Sewing machine
Scissors
Pins
Tape measure



How to: 
To start with, cut out your pattern pieces.
You will need two body pieces (pale stripes)  41 x 46cm , two lining pieces
(dark stripes) 41x 46 cm and 2 pocket pieces, 21 .5 x 35 cm.
I've cut my fabric out of two men's shirts, using the front, back panels and sleeves.

Hem the top of the body and lining pieces by folding down the top (short) edge by 2cm, Iron and sew along the top, repeat this with the two pockets.

Sew on the pockets.
Centre your pockets by Ironing the two body pieces in half lengthways, do the same with the two pockets. Open out  a body piece and lay the pocket  on top, matching up the creases and bottom raw edges.  

Pin and sew on the pocket, leaving the top open. Repeat on the second body piece.



Sew on the handles.
Take one length of webbing  (122 cm) and with the body piece facing up, align the webbing to the bottom raw edge, keep the webbing straight and cover the pocket seam until you reach the top, pin as you go. At the top make a loop for the handle (40cm appox) making sure you don't twist the webbing, carry on down the other side to the bottom raw edge.

With everything in place sew around all sides of the webbing attaching it to the fabric.

Repeat on the second body piece.

Sew the bag together.

With the body pieces face to face, match up the handles and the edges, pin it all together and sew around the three raw edges.  
Turn inside out and with an iron press sides and corners.



Lining
Put the two lining pieces face to face, neat hem at the top. Pin and sew around the raw edges.
(Do not turn out.) Insert the lining in to the bag, matching up the side seams, to attach the lining pin along the top and sew around the opening.

Give your new tote a press and you're ready to shop...

Remember to share any of your makes with us by uploading your images to Instagram including the hashtag #BThoughtful_Makes
  

This is 2 North Parade Produce Store in Oxford. Co-owned by my boyfriend Pete.

 'We work closely with local farmers, producers and suppliers who focus on the quality, integrity and provenance of their produce. Giving the customer the fresh taste of every season and the best artisan foods for your table'

I asked Pete to share his favourite seasonal recipe..

At the moment it's the asparagus season, we have freshly picked local asparagus delivered to the shop every morning, it's fresh, delicious and makes a great, quick, seasonal supper.

There are so many great ways to eat asparagus; with homemade hollandaise, butter and lemon, in a risotto, tossed in a mixed salad with mozzarella, but my favourite is the fresh, rich, salty contrast of asparagus, eggs and bacon.

Asparagus soldiers with soft boiled eggs.

You will need:
12 medium asparagus stalks, woody ends removed
12 slices of thinly sliced pancetta or bacon
olive oil
free range eggs
sea salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 220C. Wrap your asparagus stalks in the pancetta (or bacon) with the tips poking out, and place in a roasting pan. Drizzle with a little olive oil and roast in the oven for 10 mins, until crispy.

While the asparagus is cooking, Carefully place the eggs into lightly salted boiling water, for 5 minutes, drain, cut off the lids and put them in egg cups. Serve with a good pinch of salt and pepper.

Dunk your asparagus soldiers into the soft egg and enjoy.

walk

Happy May Day everyone! Such a lovely time of year. One past traditional May Day event I love is that people would get up before sunrise in order to gather flowers and greenery to decorate their houses and villages, in the belief that the vegetation spirits would bring good fortune. 
I have some apple blossom and lilac which I'm hoping will do the trick.



We went on such a beautiful walk the other day, the weather was just perfect.
Down old farm tracks, over wooden stiles, across fields, though pretty villages, into cool musty churches. Hawthorn bushes in flower, lining the way and swathes of wild garlic. We stopped by this lovely stone wall, where the grass was covered in primroses, dandelions and forget-me -nots. It was a buzz with bees and hoverflies. 

I love a nice walk, to slow everything down, to forget about those 'to do' lists and just enjoy the moment. Taking time to notice all the little details of the day. 

Do you have any favourite walks near to where you live? 

spring calm

A few snaps of the little things that have made me happy and content lately....

Beautiful delicate blossom trees in full bloom, now dropping like confetti on the ground.



Having an unexpected Saturday off work and deciding to spend the afternoon making Liberty print cushions listening to radio 4... I'm a complete granny at heart!  I made a cushion in this fabric for the bedroom, which I love.



Picking the last few Hyacinth from the garden, which smell delicious. Now the tulips, muscari and forget me nots are taking their place.



Spending time pottering around in my sewing room. The view from the window overlooks a farm, fields with horses, a donkey and apple trees, I waste a lot of time just staring out of that window.



A moment of calm to read the ever inspiring 'Cereal' (which I actually bought for my boyfriend) with a herbal tea and the most amazing dark chocolate from our recent trip to London .

What little things have made you happy this week?